Trump ordered halt to Friday's strikes on Iran: media

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the country's military not to carry out new airstrikes on Iran on Friday, breaking a streak of attacks that had continued for 13 consecutive days, Axios reported Saturday.

Citing two people familiar with the matter, the media report said that over the past two weeks Trump had approved military strike plans nearly every afternoon, with operations typically executed within hours. On Friday, however, Trump did not sign off on a similar plan and instead directed the military to stand down.

Axios said the pause signaled Trump's willingness to create more space for diplomatic efforts, while reflecting an assessment that the current level of airstrikes may have limited additional impact unless the U.S. escalates its campaign against Iran to a broader level.

The media report added that the U.S. military is still preparing plans for a possible return to large-scale operations, but that Trump has not made a decision.

Axios also reported that just hours before Trump ordered the pause on Friday, an Omani delegation arrived in Iran to discuss new arrangements for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. According to two regional sources, Axios noted, these negotiations have already made progress, and an agreement between Oman and Iran could potentially be reached over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Trump has signaled that the United States' next steps could hinge on whether the ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations with Iran could revive diplomatic efforts and bring an end to the war.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, he said the United States and Iran are in talks and that he believes Tehran is getting "more serious." However, he also warned that U.S. forces could intensify military action if necessary.

Trump ordered halt to Friday's strikes on Iran: media

Typhoon Noul, the 12th typhoon of the year, made landfall in Huidong County of Huizhou City in south China's Guangdong Province, at about 03:50 Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

At the time of landfall, the storm packed maximum winds near its center reaching Force 14, the NMC said.

By 05:00, the typhoon had moved to Daya Bay in Huizhou, with its intensity downgraded slightly to Force 13. The storm is moving northwestward at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour and is expected to weaken gradually as it progresses further inland.

Typhoon Noul marks the most powerful typhoon to make landfall east of the Pearl River Estuary in the past ten years. Meteorologists warn that the storm brings a dangerous compounding effect of high winds, torrential rain, and massive waves, significantly elevating the risk of severe secondary disasters, including urban waterlogging, flash floods, mudslides, and landslides.

In response to the threat, local authorities issued an advisory early Sunday morning, urging the public to closely monitor official weather updates and strictly adhere to local emergency protocols. Officials warned that evacuated residents must not leave designated shelters to ensure their safety.

The NMC on Saturday activated a red alert, the highest level in the country's typhoon warning system, before the landfall.

It expects heavy to torrential rainfall to impact central, eastern, and southern Guangdong, southern Fujian Province, southern Jiangxi Province, southeastern Hunan Province, and southeastern Taiwan Island through 22:00 on Sunday.

Typhoon Noul makes landfall in south China's Guangdong, bringing strong wind, heavy rain